Biography
Born in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), Lev Vinocour began his musical studies at an early age. He attended the special music school at the Rimsky-Korsakov Saint Petersburg State Conservatory. Following his studies in Russia, he moved to Germany, where he continued his education at the Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen with Boris Bloch, and later at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hannover with Arie Vardi.
Musical Style and Repertoire
Vinocour is particularly noted for his interpretations of Russian Romantic repertoire, including works by Sergei Rachmaninoff, Alexander Scriabin, and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. His repertoire also extends to other major Romantic composers such as Franz Liszt, Frédéric Chopin, and Robert Schumann, as well as works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Ludwig van Beethoven. Critics have often praised his profound musicality, technical mastery, and expressive power.
Career and Performances
Vinocour has performed extensively as a soloist with leading orchestras worldwide, collaborating with conductors such as Vladimir Fedoseyev, Valery Gergiev, and Gerd Albrecht, among others. He has appeared in prestigious venues and festivals across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Discography
His discography includes recordings for labels such as Oehms Classics and cpo, featuring works by Rachmaninoff, Scriabin, Liszt, and Tchaikovsky. These recordings have received critical acclaim for their depth and insight.
Teaching
In addition to his performing career, Vinocour is dedicated to music education. He holds a professorship in piano at the Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover, where he teaches aspiring young pianists.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Vinocour has been the recipient of several awards and distinctions in international piano competitions, including being a laureate of the Bremen International Piano Competition and the Vienna Beethoven Competition.